Solid state data recorder for high-data-rate Earth observation sensors

Abstract

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is developing a high-speed, high capacity and low-power-consumption solid-state recorder (SSR) for space-use. The aim was to develop an SSR for installation on Earth-observation (EO) satellites that could store and process large amounts of data. A prototype of the SSR was completed in the spring of 2004, and an engineering model is currently being constructed. The main features of the SSR are 200GBytes capacity, total 2.5Gbps (four channels) data transmission speed, low weight (25Kg) and low power consumption (120W). A 512Mbit synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) with an on-board multi-bit error detection and correction (EDAC) mechanism, as well as a CompactPCI bus for fast data exchange, are used to improve the efficiency of data collection and storage capabilities. The results of a flight experiment were demonstrated using an older generation SSR on JAXA's Mission Demonstration test Satellite-1 (MDS-1 or Tsubasa). This experiment sought to demonstrate a practical solid-state recorder in the space environment, with reliability and stability to withstand vibration at launch (by H-IIA rocket), the ability to endure high levels of space radiation (e.g., single-event upsets (SEUs) or total ionizing doze (TID)) effects, and the thermal environment. This paper, describes the main features of the SSR system, it's developmental and manufacturing technologies, an application for high-data-rate EO sensors, and the simulation results assuming various observation and operation modes.